The time has come to get a new main water pump for my a tank. I have only used Mag Drive 5 pumps to date. Any opinions on anything better? Anyone know what JoMar carries/has in stock (Ron????). I've got to either buy local tmorrow or do rush delivery mail order. My tank is a 72 gal reef. My current Mag 5 is making lotsa noise, so I'm guessing it's about ready to go. [Yep, I took it apart and cleaned it. Still noisy.] This one only lasted 1 yr and 4 months. The last one lasted 3 yrs.
New Pump
- Thread starter joyski58
- Start date
MattG
Premium Member
If you don't mind spending the dough Eheim is the way to go. Wow that rhymed.
Maybe an eheim model #1260
The eheims are worth the price IMO. They run EXTREMELY quiet have low heat transfer, last just about forever and run strong. I would put a 600 gph eheim against a 900 gph mag any day of the week. The eheims handle head pressure like a champ. They are pricey though.
If you don't want to spend the cash on the eheim I would just go with another mag. Make sure to soak/clean it in vinegar every 5-6 months.
Maybe an eheim model #1260
The eheims are worth the price IMO. They run EXTREMELY quiet have low heat transfer, last just about forever and run strong. I would put a 600 gph eheim against a 900 gph mag any day of the week. The eheims handle head pressure like a champ. They are pricey though.
If you don't want to spend the cash on the eheim I would just go with another mag. Make sure to soak/clean it in vinegar every 5-6 months.
If money is an issue, the via aqua is perfect, and yes, JoMars does have the size you need. If you get the biggest one they have, it will do great for you. I have used the via aqua pumps with both of my tanks and have not had a problem, except I was using two in my 120 and I had too much power so i dedided to take it down to just one of them. One worked perfectly for me. When I decided to set up a smaller tank, I got the other pump out to use and it was ruined. I guess I did not wash out the salt well enough and the inside split on me. They are not that expensive and work very well...if you take care of them 
WVfishguy
New member
I stopped using Vias and all other brands of cheap pumps when they all fried & died. I now use Mag Drives exclusively. I currently have a total of 13 Mags running at my home, shop and in customer tanks.
I'm sure Matt's right - Ehiems are more efficient. But Mags are relatively inexpensive and last a long time. I have to have reliable pumps for my business, so I use Mags.
Word of warning: If you are too rough on Mags you can break the ceramic impeller
I'm sure Matt's right - Ehiems are more efficient. But Mags are relatively inexpensive and last a long time. I have to have reliable pumps for my business, so I use Mags.
Word of warning: If you are too rough on Mags you can break the ceramic impeller
fishmon
New member
I have to agree on the mag durability, the only thing that I don't recommend is running them external, they say they can be but I use a lot of them personally and 8 out of 10 leak when ran external, freshwater isn't nearly as bad but saltwater seems to cause them to leak much more. Being that most people run them internal anyway it usually doesn't matter, that is the only thing negative I have to say about them for the durability and price.
radone
New member
I would have to support the Eheim, These pumps are quiet, energy effiecent (unlike the Mags) don't add heat to your system and will last.
Think of it this way you buy a BMW or you buy a ford (sorry chevy fan here) You get what you pay for. I would opt for the 1262 in case you upgrade or decide to run a calcium reactor or other things with it.
You can always throttle a pump back and actually get better efficiency
I'm with Fishmon on not using the mags external some do and have never had problems but when you least expect it then it will fail.
Just my $.02
Good Luck
Think of it this way you buy a BMW or you buy a ford (sorry chevy fan here) You get what you pay for. I would opt for the 1262 in case you upgrade or decide to run a calcium reactor or other things with it.
You can always throttle a pump back and actually get better efficiency
I'm with Fishmon on not using the mags external some do and have never had problems but when you least expect it then it will fail.
Just my $.02
Good Luck
firefish2020
New member
See if Jim can get one for you.
firefish2020
New member
Wonder if Fuji can get them?
gummyworms
New member
Just wanted to add in, if you are looking for an eheim 1262 (900gph), I just set up my first reef, an oceanic 58, and realized this pump is a bit too much for my small sump to handle. I'm downgrading to a 1260 (600gph), I was just getting ready to post my 1262 in the for-sale area, but if you're interested, I'll sell it for $120 + shipping (original box, instructions, etc. Goes for $140 shipped on marinedepot)
Been using it for about 4 days now. PM me if interested!
Been using it for about 4 days now. PM me if interested!
firefish2020
New member
Nope we can't get Eheim pumps, probably just as well to order from Champion, I think they carry them not sure.
I have not used eheim. I have a 500g Mag pump that has been in use since 1991. I have a mag 12 that has been in use since 2000 full time. They may run a little hotter and they definitely do not do so good external (leaking) - however I use one on a closed loop with just the intake submerged so that the majority of the heat is in the air - it works great.
I have 2 aqua via pumps that have crapped out and two of the cap2200s which I think are also aqua via. For the price and water movement they are good just not so durable.
I do not think you can go wrong with mag pumps.
I have 2 aqua via pumps that have crapped out and two of the cap2200s which I think are also aqua via. For the price and water movement they are good just not so durable.
I do not think you can go wrong with mag pumps.
firefish2020
New member
Not sure about via-aquas but cap's are made by Proclear Aquatics from what I remember. Most of the problems I have heard about the Via-aquas are related to the larger pumps. That said I have seen some of the same pumps run with no problems. I think you do get what you pay for, you want long term go with ehiem. If it is going to be submerged and you don't care about leaks go for the mags. I have seen them run dry for over 3 months and still work LOL.
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